If there is one area in which there is no competition, it is respect for the planet and its inhabitants. The proof is in the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Accor and Jin Jiang Hotels as part of the fifth meeting of the Franco-Chinese Business Council. This joint initiative is in line with the work carried out by B&B HOTELS on CSR certification for the hotel industry.

The memorandum of understanding signed between the two groups provides for the establishment of a strategic partnership to be built until 2033 and concerns hotels located in China. The central objective being:

"To promote and drive sustainable transformations across the hospitality industry and reduce the sector’s carbon emissions."

The document signed by both parties foresees an ambition of carbon neutrality by 2060. It also aims to work on reducing waste (-30% by 2023) and to concretely develop the design of more eco-friendly rooms. Accor is also sharing its School For Change initiative by allowing its training programme to be deployed in Jin Jiang hotels. Joint work will also be carried out on sustainable finance issues.

Gary Rosen, CEO, Accor Greater China, said: “We are proud to enter this strategic partnership with Jin Jiang Hotels, a leading global hospitality company. Jin Jiang Hotels plays a key role in China and we are confident that, together, we will be able to deliver critical practices that alleviate the burden on the planet without compromising the magic of the guest experience. Accor is committed to constant innovation and being a net contributor within the communities we exist. Climate action lies at the core of our hospitality vision and business model, and we are excited about the possibilities this partnership will deliver”.

Shirley Shen, CEO, Jin Jiang Hotels, added: "The hospitality industry stands as one of the most vibrant and far-reaching economic sectors across the globe, and this is especially true in China, where it holds the potential to make a significant impact on the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As leading hotel groups in the industry, both Jin Jiang Hotels and Accor are committed to sending a clear and powerful message to the wider sector. We call upon our peers to champion responsible business practices within the hospitality industry, and we are determined to inspire leadership and engage industry stakeholders in collaborative efforts. Together, we will drive our sector's contribution to sustainable development goals, with a particular focus on reducing carbon emissions as part of the ESG targets."

This is not the first time that hoteliers have worked together on these sustainable development issues. The French company B&B HOTELS, for example, has set up a CSR certification in conjunction with a specialist in the field and has decided to make it available to all hoteliers who wish to use its criteria to enter into a CSR approach.